Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-04-07
A LEAP TO DEATH.
Suicide of Ex-Lieutenant-G Cover
nor Reynolds Of Missouri.
A Leap to Death Down the Eighty-Foot
Shaft of the st Louis Custom House
Elevator-The Impellns Causes
for the Deed-Biograp hicaL


ST. LOUIS, March 30-A few minutes aft
er two o'clock this afternoon Ex-Gov-
ernor Thomas G. Reynolds committed
suicide by plunging headlong down the
elevator shaft at the custom house.
Chief Janitor Mike Walsh made an ex-
animation of the circumstances at once.
1t appears that Governor Reynolds had
been about the building for some time.
He sauntered into the United States Cir
cult Court and few moments later into
Mr.. Selby's office, where he engaged
in a casual conversation with that gentle
man. Several persons met him in the
building. After leaving Mr.. Selby he
stood outside the door in the east cor
ridor few minutes and walked slowly
toward the United States district attor-
ney's office, which he did not enter, how
ever, but turned into the north and south
hall, into which the assistant United
States district attorneys Office and the
marshaps Office opened.
just beyond the Mars halls Office he ap-
preached the elevator and stepping: into the
gate passed out of view of the corridor.
The elevator, which consists of platform
connected to the cable by an iron yoke,
was at the bottom of the sub-base-
ment over eighty feet from the third
floor. While out of view Of those in the
corridor he took off his hat and overshoes
and cast himself down the shaft.
The body was taken in the patrol wagon
and carried Immediately to the Four
Courts, when letter found in the pocket
was turned over to the chief of police.
On the outside Of the envelope ON tn Q
front was an inscription in pencil The
first part of it was clear, bold and dis
tinct Under the signature was fur
Their inscription not SO clear and
written apparently just before the
fatal leap. The whole inscription was as
follows:
Memoranda to be opened Immediately after
my death, but net before.
THOS &. REYNOLDS
My last thought will be for the welfare and
happiness of my beloved and devoted wife.
The envelope was opened by the coro-
ner. Within was the following letter in
the Governors well-known handwriting:
THE LETTER.
2Sth March, 1887.
Two years ago, trusting to my immunity from
fever in long soiourn in Vera Cruz, I exposed
myself to night air for about week in the
Bay of Panama and at Aspinwan and got the
Panama malaria into my system. 1 b ad
thought it eradicated by change OF climate and
skillful medical treatment, but this winter it
showed itself again. Outwardly seeming
to be in almost robust health I
was troubled with the malarious
symptoms, which, however. DR.. Jaminet was
skillfully treating. About ten days ago. how
ever. he discovered that I had latent govt
in my spine. During all this i'll
ness my mind remained clear
and strong, although I natur-
ally fretful over business annoyauces and dis
appointments. My affairs being in order, and
my estate of about $4,000, productive and I'M
i,v,r. traI D,,f yry;fI, f1,n 1ncf f1ry dow
great change has come over me.
Troubled by insomnia and frequent nerv-
business, I suffer from persistent melan
choly. My mind has begun to wander. have
Authorizations and even visions when I am
wide awake of materaized spirits of deceased
relatives and friends urging me by signs
to join them in their world. Life has
become burden to me. I combat the feeling
by resolves to live for the sake of my DEAR de-
voted wife, and then again fear that becoming
a physical or even mental wreck. will become
a burden to her with her fragile constitution,
and my limited estate and loss Of income in
such an event.
Twice before in my life, many years ago,
had, under similar circumstances, an at
tack Of what afterward recog.
They were kept concealed by those around
me, now all dead, and passed off without evil
results. OF late, especially within the last two
days,I have feared q similar attack but much
more violent.
am now still in sound mind, and write
down this statement so that should do any
thing rash my friends may feel assured that
1t was in some such temporary dis
order of my mind. In that event I COM
mend myself to the mercy of God and
the charitable judgment of man, solicit for my
excellent and devoted wife the sympathy of my
friends, and especially ask that my body be dis
posed Of as directed in my will.
THos c. REYNOLDS
The letter was written in ink and in
strong hand and the signature was bold
and free.
When Governor Reynolds body arrived
at the morgue IN the Central patrol wagon
the clothing was found to be stained with
dust and blood, and the condition of the
body was ample evidence of the force of
his fall His usually pleasant looking
face and his gray beard were covered
with blood which oozed from two cuts
one on his forehead and the other at the
side OF his nose. His shirt front
was snowy white, and his
clothes was of neat pattern.
He was in his stocking feet and
some Of the buttons on his coat and vest
were missing, having been forced off
when he struck the bottom of the shaft.
His hat and cuffs were laid near his head
on the slab. Many of the friends and ao-
quaintances of the deceased called to look
upon his remains, and many expressions
of deep regret were uttered. Among the
first callers were President George W.
Allen of the Council, Manager Lewis of
the Southern Hotel, Mr.. James E.
Withrow, and other, all of whom knew
him we'll. Speaking of the deceas.
ed, one of the sympathetic visitors
made the remark: "lsn't it pity
that such an illustrious career should be
1,.1, {oe oh bAplyi u4
man Of strong intellect, and no one
would ever dream that his mind was in
any way affected. He was an intellectual
giant, and had perfect command of the
languages. He received thorough edu-
cation at Heidelberg, and that, altogether
with his love of reading and studying,
gave him fund of learning Of which
any one might well feel proud.''
The body was removed from the morgue
shortly before five o'clock to the under
taking rooms of Smithers & Wagner, on
Tenth and Olive streets, at the request Of
the immediate friends of the family. The
coroner will hold the inquest to-day.
Dr. Alphonse Jaminet, the family physi-
clan Of Governor Reynolds, was seen at
his residence, 11o9 Washington avenue,
last night. He said:
81 had been Governor Reynolds physi-
clan for nearly thirty years and he was
always very cheerful man. He visited
me last Sunday afternoon, and, as he ap-
peared to be more silent than usual, I
asked him the cause. He replied that he
would be all right after awhile, and to pay
no attention to his present mood. lex
pected visit from him tomorrow or
Friday, and was very much shocked when
I heard of his unfortunate death.''
Up in room 35f at the Southern the
young wife, at haIf-past three in the after.
noon, was yet unaware of her widowhood,
the information having been temporarily |
withheld from her. Shortly after that /
time. however, Mrs. Lewis. wife of the |